WALES have been hit by another injury blow with a fresh question mark hanging over the fitness of Dafydd Jones.

WALES have been hit by another injury blow with a fresh question mark hanging over the fitness of Dafydd Jones.

The Llanelli flanker has aggravated an injury to his sternum, suffered in training last week, and is a doubt for the first Test against the Wallabies in Sydney next Saturday.

It is a major blow for the 23-year-old Scarlet, who missed the last six weeks of the season through suspension.

But Jones insists he has not given up hope of making one, if not still both, of the Tests.

"I picked up the injury when a maul collapsed during training at Sophia Gardens and I found myself at the bottom of it," said Jones, from the squad's Auckland base.

"I thought it had settled down over the last week or so and it didn't give me any trouble on the long flight, but then I sprung it again in training yesterday.

"It's a difficult injury to treat and causes problems elsewhere in your upper body, like in your shoulder, but I'm working hard and the physios are keeping a close eye on the situation.

"I certainly haven't given up hope of playing against Australia at all and we will wait and see how things are early next week."

The latest injury is another blow to Steve Hansen's preparations for the clash at the Telstra Stadium - formerly the Olympic Stadium - in Sydney in seven days' time.

Hansen has already been forced to leave Iestyn Harris and Gareth Delve, both struck down with shoulder injuries during the game against the Barbarians, Bridgend prop Gareth Williams (hamstring) and Gwent-bound Michael Owen (knee) all at home, as well as top try scorer Gareth Thomas for personal reasons.

Sonny Parker is also expected to sit out the Wallabies clash as he continues his recovery from his fractured arm.